St. Louis (US): Unigel RI, one of Latin America's largest chemical companies and the top manufacturer of nitrogen fertilizers in Brazil, has joined forces with MECS Inc., a subsidiary of Elessent Clean Technologies, to build a Sulfur burning Sulfuric acid plant. This new endeavor will help Unigel replace Sulphur imports for their downstream chemical processes. To support sustainability, Unigel has also decided to use the new plant to generate utility steam to provide reliable carbon-free energy throughout its industrial complex in Bahia's coastal state.
“The design and construction of this new Sulfuric acid plant, the first for Unigel and the first for Brazil in over 15 years, is an integral step to enabling more streamlined operations and positioning Unigel as a key player in the widespread distribution of Sulfuric acid to consumers.
Unigel operates on four major pillars: sustainability, quality, safety, and reliability; and we knew we needed the market leader for this project. The MECS® technology, products and equipment used in the plant’s design are world class and will ensure our commitment to our customers while ESG practices are met,” said Unigel CEO, Roberto Noronha Santos.
Unigel RI is tackling the challenge of decarbonizing their production chain by constructing a Sulfuric acid plant. This new plant will be free from the burning of fossil fuels, helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Unigel is also taking the lead on Brazil's first green hydrogen plant, further demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. “Unigel focuses on investments that enable the company to decarbonize its operations while also providing solutions for the industry,” said Noronha.
With their MECS® Sulfuric acid process, Unigel RI is utilizing the latest products and technologies available. This includes the MECS® GEAR® catalyst for minimal emissions with maximum conversion, while the Brink® AutoDrain™ technology ensures operational efficiency. Furthermore, UniFlo®, acid coolers and acid piping are being used to aid in production. As a result of this new plant, Unigel will have greater capacity to satisfy their customers and contribute to enhancing the Sulfuric acid supply chain of their region.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Unigel to supply the MECS® Sulfuric acid technology at the Camacari, Bahia facility. The plant is essential to Unigel’s operations at the complex as it brings them greater energy and raw material independence. We have worked closely with Unigel over the last few years to generate the optimized solution for the plant, while ensuring maximum efficiency so Unigel can remain a reliable supplier into the future,” said Eli Ben-Shoshan, CEO, Elessent Clean Technologies.
Unigel's new Sulfuric acid plant in Bahia, Brazil is set to launch in the first half of 2023. MECS® Technology, which has been trusted for over 90 years by commercial facilities, will be implemented at this plant. This state-of-the-art technology includes heat recovery systems (HRS™), SolvR® SO2 scrubbing, MAX3™ Sulfuric acid production and more. All these features are powered by advanced specialty products - catalysts, Brink® mist eliminators, DynaWave® scrubbers and ZeCor® corrosion resistant alloys - offering maximum performance while optimizing cost-effectiveness. Elessent Clean Technologies holds the license to market this technology and guarantees full customer satisfaction and support for every project.
